But not for this do I aspire To match the spark of local fire, That at my will burns on the dewy lawn, What favours do attend me here, When this in modest guise was said, A boding sound-for aught but sleep unfit! That Star, so proud of late, looked wan; In the blue depth, like Lucifer Cast headlong to the pit! Fire raged, and when the spangled floor Of ancient ether was no more, New heavens succeeded, by the dream brought forth: And all the happy Souls that rode Transfigured through that fresh abode, Had heretofore, in humble trust, Shone meekly mid their native dust, The Glow-worms of the earth! This knowledge, from an Angel's voice Where by that dream he had been cheered XXIII. HINT FROM THE MOUNTAINS FOR CERTAIN POLITICAL PRETENDERS. "WHO but hails the sight with pleasure When the wings of genius rise, Their ability to measure With great enterprise ; But in man was ne'er such daring His brave spirit with the war in Mark him, how his power he uses, Lays it by, at will resumes! Mark, ere for his haunt he chooses Clouds and utter glooms! There, he wheels in downward mazes; Sunward now his flight he raises, Catches fire, as seems, and blazes With uninjured plumes!" Mid the tempest stern; But such mockery as the Nations Lift men from their native stations, Like yon TUFT OF FERN; Such it is; the aspiring Creature Soaring on undaunted wing, (So you fancied) is by nature A dull helpless Thing, Dry and withered, light and yellow; That to be the tempest's fellow ! Wait and you shall see how hollow Its endeavouring!" XXIV. STRAY PLEASURES. - Pleasure is spread through the earth In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.” By their floating Mill, That lies dead and still, Behold yon Prisoners three, The Miller with two Dames, on the breast of the Thames! From the shore come the notes To their Mill where it floats, To their House and their Mill tethered fast; To the small wooden Isle where, their work to beguile, |